MBUTI BARKCLOTH 185

Made by the Mbuti pygmy of the Ituri Forest, this textile is made by
beating a layer of tree bark until it is thin and pliable. The women choose
the tree and the preparation and beating are done by men .The women then
paint the designs, which are often symbolic, using a mixture of charcoal
and fruit juice.

CARE: The cloth is not fragile and can be pinned onto a wall or panel
for display, or framed like a work on paper.To eliminate wrinkles, the cloth
can be misted with water, and then gently ironed on the back, but this may
make it difficult for the cloth to lay flat.